Recent studies suggest that children with special educational needs make up approximately 25% of the overall school population.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of specialised placements, a shocking 1,455 students are forced to receive home tuition.

Teachers, parents and those caring for children with special educational needs are being offered an opportunity to enrol in one of two new online postgraduate programmes provided by Hibernia College and the Institute of Child Education and Psychology (ICEP) Europe.

To alleviate this problem, two new programmes aimed at supporting all those working with young people with additional needs have been launched and will start this September in Hibernia College, Dublin. These innovative and flexibly designed programmes are the product of a partnership between Hibernia College and the Institute of Child Education and Psychology (ICEP) Europe.  

The aim of both courses is to provide participants with a thorough professional knowledge and understanding of special educational needs and learning difficulties. The courses will be of particular interest to teachers, parents, social workers and community workers with an interest in upskilling in areas such as understanding autism, general learning disabilities, dyslexia, and literacy, as well as understanding behaviour. 

In this, Dr MacIntyre of ICEP noted:

”Participants will gain the knowledge, skills, values and competencies to provide an inclusive and quality education for all, underpinned with the latest national and international research in inclusive education.”

Online Interactions

The Master of Arts in Inclusive and Special Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Inclusive and Special Education courses are almost fully online. These courses are designed to accommodate applicants who seek a more flexible postgraduate option due to personal circumstances, work, or other commitments. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with peers online, with tutors available to provide individual support. 

The programmes are divided into modules and will be delivered online over 12 weeks, with live classes every second week. This modular structure revolves around a process of continuous assessment with no examinations. Participants will even have the choice to study one module of interest should they not wish to complete the full programme. 

Speaking at the launch, Academic Dean at Hibernia College Dr Mary Kelly stated:

“These flexible programmes help facilitate those with busy work and other commitments who want to specialise with flexibility and attain the highest academic standards. From my own early career as a Resource Teacher, I saw the need to offer teachers a course with flexibility that works around their lives and requirements, while offering vital skills and knowledge.”

SOURCE: Materials provided by Hibernia College

Note: Content may have been edited for style and length

https://educationmatters.ie/hibernia-college-delivering-blended-learning/